Imphal, December 11 2008: THE PREMIERE medical institute of the region, the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal treats over 3 lakhs patients a year on an average and this will come to an indefinite halt from Friday, December 12 .

During a meeting of the officials of the hospital today including the heads of departments, teaching and non-teaching staffs and junior doctors along with the Manipur chapter of the Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI), held at the RIMS mini auditorium hall, it was resolved that the casualty department (emergency), the OPD would be closed indefinitely from Friday.

It was also resolved that the hospital would start discharging the indoor patients and that no post mortem would be performed henceforth in protest against the kidnapping of an Assistant Engineer and a Section Officer of the hospital.

Ng Robindro, assistant engineer for Khurai Sajor Leikai in Imphal East and Y Surjeet, SO of Keishampat Elangbam Leikai were kidnapped on Tuesday by the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-Ibungo Ngangom) with a demand of Rs 2 crores ransom.

Speaking to the media, Dr Y Mohen, superintendent of RIMS stated that he would be the first to raise voice and approached the central government to shift RIMS outside the state should these two be killed.

The superintendent also informed despite requests from the family members to negotiate, the hospital has decided not to negotiate as there is insufficient funds to pay for the ransom too.

The statements of the outfit that the two were arrested on charges of corruptions are baseless, asserted the superintendent and show the demand letter issued by the outfit to the media.

In this connection, the hospital will be close indefinitely from Friday, December 12, informed the superintendent adding that even indoor patients would be discharged and not post mortems done at the hospital.

Dr L Flimate, director of RIMS lamented that such a situation has come in the times when processes were underway to promote RIMS to the level of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Amidst signing memorandum of understandings and high level meetings to promote RIMS to the level of AIIMS, if such situations continue, how will RIMS developed, questioned the director.

Informing that RIMS treats over 3 lakhs patients in a year on average, the director urged for the need of peace in the state and the hospital.

If RIMS shifts to other states, then it would be a great loss to the state, stated the director.

It is worth mentioning here that reportedly doctors of the hospital had resort to voluntary retirement due to mental harassments and monetary demands on the doctors and the hospital.

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